Swansea

Swansea's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in marriage, housing tenure and health.

The population reached nearly 240,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Swansea increased by 7.0%, from about 223,000 to 239,000.

The addition of just under 16,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across Wales (up 5.5% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Swansea was home to, on average, 4.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across Wales

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Wales, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Fall in proportion of Welsh speakers

The proportion of Welsh speakers in Swansea fell from 13% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to Census 2011.

There are 2,249 fewer people living here who spoke Welsh compared with 2001, while the number of people who did not spoke Welsh increased by 17,178.

In nearby Neath Port Talbot, 15% of people over the age of three could speak some Welsh, down from 18% at the 2001 census. Across Wales, the proportion fell from 21% to 19%.

Monmouthshire was one of the few areas that saw an increase in the proportion of Welsh speakers (from 9.0% in 2001 to 9.9% in 2011), while Carmarthenshire saw the largest fall (from 50% to 44%).

The proportion of people who could speak Welsh was lower than across Wales

Percentage of people aged three and over that that said they could speak Welsh across local authority areas in Wales and the average across Wales, March 2011

Fewer married people

This area saw Wales' second-largest fall in the proportion of married people.

In 2011, just over 4 in 10 (44%) people aged 16 and over in Swansea said they were married, compared with 50% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single increased from 30% to 37%.

The largest decrease occurred in Blaenau Gwent (from 51% to 45%).

The proportion of married people was lower than across Wales

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were married across local authority areas in Wales and the average across Wales, March 2011

Disablity in Swansea

This area saw Wales' third-largest fall in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just over 1 in 14 (7.3%) in Swansea reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 7.8% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 4.9% to 5.4%.

The largest decrease occurred in Wrexham (from 7.5% to 6.6%) followed by Blaenau Gwent (from 6.8% to 6.2%).

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across Wales

Percentage of usual residents that that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Wales and the average across Wales, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Swansea that rented privately increased from 8.4% to 15% in the decade to 2011.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 19%, while the percentage of Swansea households that owner their home decreased from 69% to 64%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than in Neath Port Talbot (from 5.9% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across Wales, the proportion increased from 8.6% to 14%.

Private renting in Swansea increased by 6.3 percentage points

Percentage of households in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Wales that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Swansea residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 13% to 8.1% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (78%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 65% in 2001. The percentage of Swansea residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to Neath Port Talbot (from 16% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across Wales, the proportion fell from 12% to 7.6%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Swansea decreased by 5.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Wales said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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